Anita Brightley-Hodges

Anita Brightley-Hodges is a family business advisor, mentor, exceptional mediator, coach, keynote speaker, and champion of women.

With over 35 years of experience in working with families, Anita has the experience and passion to ensure your event goes without a hitch.

Anita Brightley-Hodges has spoken at events all around the world, appearing at leadership conferences, award ceremonies, university courses, networking events, on radio shows, and podcasts, and has worked for clients including the University of Oxford, EY, Campden Wealth, Saïd Business School, and KPMG.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book family business advisor Anita Brightley-Hodges for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

Business & Finance Female Speakers Keynote Leadership & Teamwork Speaker

More About Anita Brightley-Hodges

When Anita Brightley-Hodges first started working in family business, nobody gave recognition to family-run businesses, seeing them as less than fast-growth corporate firms. But since then, the tide has changed, and family-run companies are being seen as an important part of the UK economy. And this is where Anita comes in, offering keynote speeches, business advice, coaching, and mediation services.

family business advisor Anita Brightley-Hodges mentor coach speaker at Great British Speakers

Anita Brightley-Hodges | Public Speaking

Anita Brightley-Hodges provides talks on raising the next generation, succession, the family office, exit options, the family business sector as a global powerhouse, governance, and the role of women in family firms.

There are so many more opportunities for women in business these days, but it’s not as easy as that sounds. Anita talks about her own experience building a company, working with global clients, and travelling the world, all whilst being a mother to four children, caring for elderly parents, and looking after her own health and mental wellbeing.

She also provides talks on entrepreneurship. From starting her own design agency ‘Still Waters Run Deep’ in 1989, to losing everything during the 2008 crash, before founding ‘Family Business Place’ in 2009 and jewellery brand Irene & Jenny in 2023. The Family Business Place was the first-ever national membership body exclusively for family-run UK businesses; however, they became a victim of COVID and she was forced to let go of the team, including her own relatives.

Anita is a specialist in helping family-run businesses get ‘unstuck’ and start moving forward.

Anita Brightley-Hodges Speaking Topics include:

– Focus on Stewardship and Responsibility to Wealth

– Succession Planning

– Preparing and Mentoring the Next Generation

– Governance Structures and Family Forums, Family Council

– Conflict and Communication

– Mediation

– Family Away Days and Future Planning

– Discovery Workshops

Anita Brightley-Hodges women in business coach mentor speaker at Great British Speakers

Anita Brightley-Hodges Keynotes:

Mother and Daughter In Business Together: Anita and her daughter created a new business movement, where daughters (with children) work alongside their mothers to build a successful, pioneering business together. Anita looks at what is needed to be successful in this venture, including purpose, empathy, values, marketing, branding, and work flexibility.

Child of a Refugee and Tiger Mum: What does that mean and how did it affect Anita and influence the life she wanted to build for her family. Raised in a poor family, what were her parent’s expectations of their daughter.

Building, crashing, building, closing and building a new future: Founding an award-winning international branding agency, being affected by the 2008 crash, beginning new businesses, closing businesses, and building a new professional future.

Life as a Female Entrepreneur 1985-2024: Anita tells her story from art school, to teaching, to becoming an award-winning entrepreneur. She provides the good, the bad, and the ugly about owning your own business, and provides takeaways such as:

– Be Your Authentic Self

– Become an Expert

– Find Mentors

– Build Great Teams

– Understand Your Markets and Where They Hang Out

– Engage, Motivate, and Reward Your Team

– Integrity and Reputation

– Failing is Just Failing. How You Get Up and Continue is the Measure of You

– Your Network is Your Net Worth

– Always Find a Way to be of Service to Your Community

– Include Wellbeing as Part of Your Business Strategy

– Your Reap What You Sow

Anita Brightley-Hodges family business advisor mentor coach speaker at Great British Speakers

Anita Brightley-Hodges Clients:

Family Business Place, Family Business Place Awards, BCMS, E&I, Henley Business School, Hertfordshire Chambers of Commerce, Houses of Parliament, International Stress Management Association, Maidstone College of Art, Oxford University, the Prince’s Trust, PwC, Suisse Bank, University of West London.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book family business advisor and entrepreneur Anita Brightley-Hodges for your next live event or corporate video.

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Testimonials

Anita Brightley-Hodges recently helped us out, as a member of the family who is also a shareholder wished to sell their shares. There was friction within the family so we called Anita in from Family Business Place to hold a Discovery Workshop with key personnel and members of the family working in the business. Anita’s mediation skills helped bring the issue to an amicable resolution so that all family members are now happy.

We are also using Family Business Place to help us restructure the company due to key members of the business retiring in the next couple of years, so we need to look at succession planning. I would highly recommend Anita should you have an issue in your family business, as her vast knowledge in this field and large contact list means she can resolve any problems you may have.
Mike Preedy, Owner of J Preedy & Sons

I had the pleasure of meeting Anita in the build up to a panel discussion at the ISMA Global Summit (International Stress Management Association) that Anita was moderating.

From the minute we spoke I immediately felt the warmth of her personality, and her positive energy. What was really interesting from that first discovery discussion was how she expertly picked and distilled the key messages from what I was saying, and then utilised those on the day so everything felt completely natural.
David Plunkett – Helping agency, service and software businesses identify, nurture and scale referral and partnership opportunities

When I came to a crossroads in my career there was only one person I knew could and would help without hesitation. Having worked with and advised my family, I knew without doubt that if I wanted someone to listen, someone to understand, appreciate and advise accordinlgy, it had to be Anita. She is undoubtedly one of the kkindest, sincerest and professional ladies I have ever met and has certainly made a difference in my life, a fantastic difference.

Anita Brightley-Hodges understands people, understands families, and understands the challenges we all face throughout our journeys in life. I life to refer to her these days as my fairy Godmother. Thank you Anita for being you.
Claire Plaskow – Broadcast producer and author

One of the most challenging tasks for many people is that of public speaking. For many more, who do speak, the goal can be one of holding the attention of the audience. Anita does those things well and more. She is a most engaging character and oozes enthusiasm for her subject. Anita makes it real, because it is real in her case. She speaks with passion that can only come across so well when it is coming from the heart. If you need a stimulating speaker – look no further.
Graham Card – Independent broker sourcing finance and trade solutions for business

Anita has a font of knowledge around family business, marketing, campaigns and networking. If you are a family business looking to expand, network with other family businesses, or need advice on succession or how to engage other family members, then Anita is the person you need to be speaking to. Anita can connect you with a range of people, companies and services, as well as working with you to achieve whatever objectives you may have.

If you’re a family business, then get in touch with Anita Brightley-Hodges immediately, you won’t regret it.
Gemma Firth – Without deviation from the norm, PROGRESS is not possible – 2nd generation family business director

What can I say? Any of you who know Anita Brightley-Hodges know how great she is ….anyone who doesn’t know Anita should really change that? She’s got unparalleled people skills, with a keen eye for cutting to the core of what a business needs to enhance its image or to celebrate its success. She makes businesses stand out. Anita lights up the room, and I am fortunate in that I get to speak to people who know Anita well, and every one of them has nothing but praise and a very high opinion of the work she does and the ethos she maintains.

She’s a go-getter and gets a buzz from getting people to where they need to be. Whatever your level, she just adapts and matches it. She has vision – and can apply it! She’s got ideas in her head that you’ll never have even thought about, but when you see them first-hand, you’ll realise you couldn’t have been without it! Great mind, great creativity, great person.
Janine Forder – Confidence Coach

Anita Brightley-Hodges is highly respected in the business-owning family community and her Family Business Place advisory business, Generation Magazine and Family Ties conference are leaders in their sector. They have added to the ability for families to share best practice, learn from each other and make useful connections. The Family Ties conference is by far and away the best such conference in the UK.

I enjoy working with Anita Brightley-Hodges and her team and commend her with enthusiasm to those who wish to learn about family companies, business-owning families and family offices with operating companies.
Rupert Phelps – Strategic advisor to single family offices and business-owning families